I am concerned that we had to call in a pest controller to deal with a problem snake at the Kingston Wharves. It is as cruel as asking a policeman to deal with a child who has disruptive emotional problems; but that's reality, it still happens.

I am completing a research project and need to locate the national 'expertise and skills' (deficit) database and projections for Jamaica.

This is the data which guide our universities, tertiary institutions, etc., in determining what courses to introduce, strengthen or phase out; and intending students and their parents on what are the good careers and degrees for the future. I have tried without success. I hope your readers can help.

Sparked interest

The recent snake-in-the-container incident is small in the scheme of things but sparked my interest because of my project.

I was told we have no local herpetologists, reptile scientists or related science research pro-grammes at any local university, environment or research agency.

We have no lions, elephants or major land mammals, our dominant native and protected species are lizards, crocodiles, snakes, iguanas, frogs, etc., and we have several univer-sities, science, environment and other agencies, as well as local and tourist attractions and conservation areas which feature these animals and are regulated (I presume).

I am sure we have local research, data and scientists who specialise in these endemic species. I would like to hear from them too.

Best regards.

I am, etc.,

Franklin Johnston

franklinjohnston@hotmail.com